The Apple-net is all abuzz with rumors of an ultra-portable MacBook Pro. And I don’t get it.
Sure, I’m all for having the thinnest notebook possible, but I don’t like the price. First of all, how much work can possibly be done on a 13.3” (or smaller) screen? At best, your regular email checking, web browsing, iPhoto and extremely light video editing. Sure you CAN do more, but do you want to? And buying an external screen nullifies the entire “portable” thing.
Now, the lack of an optical drive. Ok, I don’t use mine that much, but all my big software titles (Including my OS) are on some form of CD or DVD. And what if you want to burn a CD while your only computer nearby is your ultra-portable? Oops, too bad.
Worst of all is the lack of hard drive space and the likely RAM ceiling. Hard Drive space will be limited to 128 GB at best. most likely there will be a 64 GB standard with an expensive BTO 128 GB option. The OS itself takes up 5 GBs at a bare-bones install. And the RAM will likely be 2 GB no more no less. I don’t imagine that these notebooks will be easy to get into, so no real upgrade path there.
All this lack of expandability, space, screen real estate, or a half an inch less thickness and a $1500 pricetag? No thanks, Apple.
As one who has lugged a 6 lb laptop, in a 3 lb bag, with 5 lbs of accessories, chargers, mouse, etc., through 3 major airports in a day, a thinner, lighter laptop, or lighter anything would be appreciated, and the cost is less of an obstacle than the weight.
I'd love a laptop WITHOUT A BATTERY. Make a power supply the same shape as a battery, and allow it to run on the PS or, put a battery in the place of the power supply. I seldom if ever, run my laptop someplace where there is no power available. THAT would cut the weight in half, by itself.
You would still be carrying the power supply, no?
To be honest, the only thing at this point keeping me away from Apple is a ultra portable that is portable. I wouldn't go for the MacBook becuase it is basically the same weight as the 15" MacBook Pro, but with less features. The 15" is just too big for me; I find 13" to be the perfect size.
Some sort of ultraportable could bring me from my string of 4 Sony VAIOs over to Apple…